Tacara dress

Seamwork Tacara looked so cozy and I knew I wanted to make it right away. I had a super soft, slinky rayon knit.

I made a size 18, but really should have sized down. My knit was too lightweight for the pockets; I thought it made it hang weird. I also didn't like it as dress length. so I took about an inch off each side to get rid of the pockets and cut about 3 inches off the bottom. I'm pleased, but would definitely make the 16 next time.

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Seamwork Hayden top

I've been on a quest for a top pattern. I hoped the Seamwork Hayden pattern would do the trick.

My hopes were dashed. This is the first time I have not had the sleeves fit. I had this mostly worked up in October, but was stuck since the sleeves were so tight. I waited until this month's Open Sew Workshop, and with Niku's help I was able to hack the sleeves so they mostly fit. It's still a bit tight. I think it fits good across the upper bust, but feel like it's really big everywhere else. Not sure if the quilting cotton is impacting the drape.

Niku reworked the sleeve pattern for me so it should fit next time. I'm undecided if I will make this again or not.

Size made: 18
Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Knit skirt

This is the 4th Kwik Sew 3513 skirt I've made.  It's a nice easy pattern. I cutout the extra large, but then I tried on the waistband I knew it would be too big. So I cut down to the large, and added elastic to the waistband.

Ruby Top

Back in August I made a Ruby top in XL It fit well around my upper bust, but was definitely a little snug in bust.

I decided to size up and see how it went. It definitely fits better in the bust and I think it's a better armhole fit, but I feel like there's some gaping in the neck and again the sloppy fit in the upper bust. I think I'll need to try grading between the two sizes. I'd really like to get where I'm happy with this and add sleeves!

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Halloween Embroidery

Finished up two Halloween embroideries. The Boo was from last year's XO Stitch Club, and the cat is from this year. Had some fun experimenting with different stitches.

Baby Knits

Made an adorable kimono sweater from Mason Dixon Knitting, and the umbilical hat from Stitch 'n Bitch for my aqua yoga teacher's baby shower.

Shibori Dyeing

Last weekend I headed up to McKinney to do some shibori dyeing at my friend's house. I ordered all the supplies for Dharma Trading Company - indigo dye kit, the yummiest 100% linen fabric, 50/50 cotton linen blend, and a silk infinity scarf. I also bought some Kona cotton to cut into small squares to practice with, and a white cotton t-shirt.

It was super easy to mix the dye. It had to sit for about a half hour. I checked out a bunch of books from the library, and found some resources online too. 

Shibori is a Japanese technique for creating patterns in the fabric with indigo dye. It's similar to tie dye, but really more focus on a single color. The patterns are fairly predictable, and it was a blast.

It was a little overwhelming dyeing 3 yards of linen at once. It's just a lot of fabric to work with at one time. It might be easier to make the garment first and then dye it. I don't know. Anyway, super fun and I would totally do it again.

The process is fascinating as the dye is green, and so your fabric comes out green but quickly oxidizes and turns blue.

 


This is my 3 yards of linen.

 

Here's the t-shirt


One yard of 50/50 cotton linen fabric


Test squares

Caftan Life

Took a class to make the Closet Case Charlie Caftan. I used this dreamy London Calling Lawn - Flowers in Mint. The fabric is buttery soft.

I made a size 18 top and graded to 20 in the hips. In class, I raised the neckline and also lowered the waist. I'm super happy with those adjustments. If I make the maxi length again, I would probably add an inch to the length.

Puget Sound

Took a lovely trip to the Puget Sound (north of Seattle) to visit my parents and get in a little ocean time. I couldn't have asked for better weather.

The first day we drove out to Deception Pass, walked the bridge and went down to the beach. The next day was an awesome whale watching tour and we saw some orcas. The last full day we went to Friday Harbor. Before flying home we went to Snoqualmie Falls and hiked to Twin Falls.

You can see all the pictures here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/yH1SMGWXx3iSppB58

Sutton Blouse by True Bias

This might have been the neatest sewing I've ever done. The instructions were great, and it's finished so beautifully with French seams and bias binding on the neck.

I made this with a drapey rayon. Since I often use quilting cotton for a wearable muslin, I thought maybe I'd try using the "right" fabric.

I made the size 18, which is a bit tight given my measurements, but the instructions said there was a lot of ease. Sadly there wasn't enough ease, and it's a pretty tight fit.

I have also decided I do not like kimono style sleeves. I don't like the way the fabric lays around my armpits/bust. From here on, I will stick with set in sleeves or raglan.

Bust 46.75"
Waist 43
Hips 49

Ironing board cover

My ironing board cover was looking pretty rough, so when I saw this bee fabric, I knew I had a winner. I more or less followed this tutorial: https://www.tillyandthebuttons.com/2015/05/pimp-my-sewing-room-how-to-make-ironing.html.

Me Made May Musings

I enjoyed challenging myself to wear my me mades. I had more than I thought, and some are staple pieces in my wardrobe. I think I wore either my black or blue linen pants every week. My Ebony raglan tees were in heavy rotation too.

I have realized the fabric is really important. I need more knit tops, and more from linen or softer cotton. I use quilting cotton as a wearable muslin, and in some cases it works out just fine. I think I just need to suck it up and spend more on fabric and give myself permission to let it go if the fit isn't the way I want.

I really like skirts and dresses, and it's probably the bulk of my me mades. Unfortunately my office is so cold I don't like wearing them as much. I finally bought some no show socks so hopefully that will help with wearing mary janes or "dressier" tennis shoes. I might try making some capri length leggings to see if that helps. It's frustrating, but an important factor to keep in mind as I make clothes.

I for sure did not have enough lounge/casual clothes. By Friday I just wanted to wear jeans and a t-shirt and on the weekends I'm in shorts or lounge pants and a t-shirt. I think too if I had more me mades in fabrics that feel cozy that I would wear them more on weekends.

I did make a pair of owl pj pants. I got stalled making a tank top to go with it as it didn't fit.

Lastly, I had a goal to wear all my me mades at least once. Below is what I didn't wear. Last weekend I pulled my modified Dress no 1 out of the proverbial corner and thought wow, why haven't I worn this. I sewed the pockets on and washed it, and then ran out of time during the week to wear. I will wear it soon. I'm going to hem the sleeves up a bit too. I pulled my Washi dress literally out of the back of the closet and wondered why I never wore it. I struggled a lot making it with the elastic shirring. I ripped out the shirring so it's a little looser fit, but I think it's fine. I'll wear and see what I think.

My green pencil skirt with brown polka dots doesn't fit. It gets wear so when I am back to that size I know I'll wear it again. My cabbage rose a line skirt just didn't get in the rotation because I didn't have my blue t shirt that I usually wear out of under bed storage and honestly a bit afraid it won't fit right now either. Ugh. I love it still and will wear again. Pants no 1 are also snug, so not something I wanted to wear. And lastly my beloved knit shark skirt doesn't fit either.

Me Made May Week 5

Tuesday I wore my Wren dress. Wednesday I wore shirt no 1 made from  shimmery shot cotton with my Zinnia skirt in a dark chambray and Thursday I wore my black linen pants with a tunic top.

Me Made May Week 4

I didn't get a lot of me mades in this week. I know I wore me mades Tuesday and Wednesday, but I am completely drawing a blank on what I wore and I didn't seem to take pictures. I am pretty sure they are repeats.

Thursday I wore my Moneta dress. This is the second one I made with a longer bodice. Saturday I wore my red knit skirt (2nd time)...it feels casual enough for weekend wear.

Me Made May Week 3

I started off on Monday with an Ebony Dress with 3/4 sleeves. I wear it with leggings and it feels like I'm wearing pjs. Tuesday was a second wearing of the unicorn tee. Wednesday I wore my black polka dot skirt. On Thursday, (no picture) I wore my blue linen pants. Saturday I wore a refashioned skirt. I also wore my owl pj pants this week.

I have continued frustration wearing skirts/dresses at work. The workplace is so cold. I often wear socks and I don't always like how that looks. I also find it tedious taking pictures. There's never enough light and I don't have a lot of patience for setting up shot. I know the challenge isn't about the pictures.

I'm realizing I really want clothes that feel cozy and comfortable. I definitely want to make sure I pay attention to how the fabric feels in addition to the looks.